News

WILSON, N.C. - The Lighting of the Luminaries, a long-standing tradition for the Barton College community, will usher in the Christmas season on Tuesday, Dec. 2. The College family invites the surrounding community to join them for this festive celebration.

The celebration will begin with a festive candlelight dinner served in the Hamlin Student Center Dining Hall at 5 p.m. Cost for the meal is $6 for adults and $3 for children and students not on the meal plan.

At 5:45 p.m., join students as they light over 1,500 luminaries across 32 acres of the main campus. At 6 p.m., students, faculty, staff, friends of the College, and members of the community will gather on center campus for the blessing and lighting of the Christmas tree. The outdoor program will include brief remarks by Dr. Norval C. Kneten, president of Barton College, as well as musical selections performed by the College's Gospel Choir and the Sign Choir.

Immediately following the blessing and lighting of the tree, participants will move to Howard Chapel for the annual Hanging of the Greens, and a Christmas Program of Lessons and Carols featuring the Barton College Choir. There is no charge for the program.

For additional information about the Lighting of the Luminaries program, please contact Ashley Lutterloh in the Office of Student Activities at 252-399-6372 or the Rev. Hollie Woodruff, chaplain of the college, at 252-399-6368. For additional information about the choir program, please contact Mark Peterson, director of music, at 252-399-6535.

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Questions? Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.

WILSON, N.C. - With handcuffed campus "criminals," the Athletic Training Club's Jail-N-Bail event on November 6 helped club members support their organization and give back to the community all at the same time.  Raising $1,500, the Athletic Training Club presented a check for $750 to the Peace Church food pantry in time for Thanksgiving.

For $20 per warrant, participants ordered the arrests of individuals from a "most wanted" list of faculty and staff.  All other warrants were $5 each.  After being arrested by a Wilson police officer, each of the accused appeared before the "judge" and head athletic trainer Randy Pridgen who set the bail.  If the accused paid his bail immediately, he was free to go; otherwise, he was sentenced to a term of 30 minutes in jail in the Hamlin Dining Hall.

"We've been raising money for a couple of years now to [go to district meetings]," said Pridgen, club advisor and associate professor of physical education and sport studies.  "And, the seniors thought that it was a good time to try to give back to the community."

The Athletic Training Club promotes professionalism in the field of athletic training and performs fundraising activities to assist students who wish to attend the annual clinical symposium hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Trainers' Association (MAATA).  The symposium provides educational seminars and allows students to present case studies relevant to athletic training.  Additionally, it serves as a networking resource, putting students in contact with others in their field of study.

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Questions? Contact Ken Dozier, web services manager, at 252-399-6596 or email kdozier@barton.edu.

WILSON, N.C. - The Barton College/Wilson Symphony Orchestra welcomes acclaimed piano virtuoso Beth Levin to Wilson for the orchestra's Fall Concert on Sunday, Nov. 23, at 3 p.m. in Howard Chapel on the college campus. Levin will be performing Beethoven's boldly dramatic "Piano Concerto no. 3″ with the orchestra under the baton of Barton College music director Mark N. Peterson.

A native of Philadelphia, Levin is an acclaimed concerto soloist, recitalist, chamber musician, and recording artist. At age 12, Levin made her debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and soon after was selected to study with Rudolf Serkin at the Curtis Institute of Music. "Mr. Serkin was an inspiration the moment he walked into a room." Levin recalls. "A single word evoking the eloquence of a poem."

As a concerto soloist, Levin has appeared with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Boston Pops Orchestra, the Boston Civic Symphony, the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, and numerous other symphony orchestras throughout the Americas, working with noted conductors such as William Smith, Arthur Fiedler, Benjamin Zander, Tonu Kalam, Sidney Rothstein, Milton Katims, Silas Huff, and Joseph Silverstein.

Levin made her New York solo recital debut in 1982 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Chamber music festival collaborations brought her to the Marlboro Festival, Casals Festival, Harvard, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Ankara Music Festival, and the Blue Hill Festival. As a "Music from Marlboro" artist, she toured the United States and Canada.

The Barton College/Wilson Symphony Orchestra also will be performing works by Bach, Mascagni, and Rossini. Orchestra member Steven Lewis, who is a graduate conducting major at East Carolina University, will conduct the overture to Rossini's opera "Semeramide."

Following the concert, the audience is cordially invited to meet the musicians at a reception in the Barton Art Museum hosted by ARAMARK Higher Education.

Admission for the fall orchestra performance will be $10 at the door or by season ticket. All students within the community will be admitted free of charge as well as faculty, staff and students of Barton College. For additional information, please contact Lynne Medlin at 252-399-6309 or email: lmedlin@barton.edu.

The Barton College/Wilson Symphony Orchestra is a college/community ensemble, and features professional musicians performing alongside a core of amateur and student musicians.

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Questions? Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.

WILSON, N.C. - Barton College is pleased to welcome back the Readers' Theater from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. On Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m., medical students from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University will present a public reading and discussion of Jay Baruch's short story "Breathing" in the Hamlin Student Center Theater at Barton College. This presentation is open to the public at no charge, and the community is invited to attend.

Jay Baruch is an emergency medicine physician who teaches at Brown University. "Breathing" appears in Baruch's 2007 book of short stories, "Fourteen Stories: Doctors, Patients, and Other Strangers." It tells the story of an elderly father who cannot live on his own but resents having to move in with his son's family. The audience will see the impact of this forced living arrangement on family relations in general and on the individuals involved. It is a timely story that explores a situation more and more common in modern American society.

The 30-minute reading will be followed by a discussion of the story moderated by a member of the medical school's Department of Medical Humanities.

In Readers' Theater, the performers, usually medical and nursing students, sit before the audience and read from scripts. Like radio dramas, much is left to the listener's imagination. The program, part of an on-going Readers' Theater program sponsored by the Department of Medical Humanities at ECU's Brody School of Medicine and the ECU College of Nursing, allows students and the general public (future physicians and nurses and their potential future patients) to discuss together social and ethical medical issues of common concern.

The performance is especially relevant to anyone who has or contemplates caring for an older relative. Statistics show family caregiving has become a normative experience in our society, and the typical female in the U.S. will spend more years caring for an older relative than for her own children. Performances have always been well received, and the discussion which follows is typically quite rich, profound, and meaningful.

This program is sponsored by the School of Behavioral Sciences at Barton College and will last about an hour. For additional information, contact Dr. Steven Fulks, dean of the School of Behavioral Sciences at Barton College, at 252-399-6570 or email: sfulks@barton.edu.

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Questions? Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.

WILSON, N.C. - Bound by ties of friendship and a profound love for their alma mater, Bulldogs from near and far returned to the campus of Barton College for Homecoming Weekend 2008 on October 24-26. (For photo slideshows of Homecoming 2008 and the Alumni Golf Tournament, click here.)

Overcast skies and wet, autumn weather did not dampen the spirits of alumni and their guests as they enjoyed a weekend packed with events and activities. From class and affinity reunions to sporting events to brunches, lunches, and dinners, a bounty of activities greeted this year's participants.

Following the luncheon and tour at the Barton-Graves House, the first major event of the weekend was the Bulldog Club Superball Golf Tournament at the Wilson Country Club. Comprising 21 teams, over 80 alumni and guests battled for the best team score.

Jeremy and Jerry Tucker, Steven Brame, and Craig Brame, forming The Good Ole Boys team, secured the victory with an outstanding score of 53.

As the golfers contended on the course, tennis enthusiasts enjoyed the inaugural Homecoming Doubles Tennis Tournament, also at the Wilson Country Club. Meanwhile, those not playing golf or tennis had the opportunity to take a tour of Barton's campus and view a pottery demonstration by associate professor of art Mark Gordon.

After the golf tournament, Alumni Happy Hour welcomed those at the country club while the men of Alpha Sigma Phi kicked off their 50th anniversary celebration with a pig pickin' at the Alpha House.

Five new members joined the Barton College Hall of Fame Friday night at the Bulldog Club and Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner. The inductees were Rufus Outland '59, basketball; Alton Hill '67, basketball and track and field; Gary Farmer '70, baseball; Mark Raynor '96, baseball; and Tanisha Adams Dixon '98, basketball and volleyball.

"It was such a pleasure to have 250 people with us to help celebrate the history of our athletic program and the successes of those we recognized," said Gary Hall, director of athletics. "The personal stories shared at this banquet help us to see how Barton College has inspired the futures of its student-athletes by providing to them an exceptional educational experience."

On Saturday morning, Barton's English bulldog mascot, Bully, welcomed guests to the Alumni Reunions and Awards Brunch. Following the meal, Barton College president Dr. Norval Kneten unveiled the newest addition to the campus: a 6′x4′ statue of Bully. Inspiring school spirit, the large fiberglass bulldog will be placed at the entrance of Wilson Gymnasium so athletes and fans can rub its head for good luck.

The 2008 Alumni Awards were presented next: Miriam "Mickey" Moore Dunn '47, Alumna of the Year; Morgan P. Dickerman '79, Alumni Achievement Award; Gareth Hosford, Alumni Achievement Award; and Dr. Harold Ladwig, Honorary Alumnus.

Former student and Atlantic Christian/Barton College alumnus Russell Rawlings described Dunn as a "career educator who has remained fiercely faithful to her alma mater." In her acceptance speech, Dunn attributed lessons on "the power of love, the power of humility, patience, respect, compassion" to the College and her parents.

"I shall forever cherish your choosing me for the outstanding honor," said Dunn. "My love for the College has never wavered."

Alumni Achievement Award recipient Morgan Dickerman recalled special memories of his time at Atlantic Christian College and thanked his professors. Dickerman's gratitude for one particular professor led him to honor this educator in a special way.

"Dr. Amrut Nakhre got me through school as my political science professor, and we have established a scholarship in Dr. Nakhre's name to thank him," said Dickerman, who led the effort to create the scholarship.

Gareth Hosford, who also received the Alumni Achievement Award, shared his memories as a student. Thanking those who made an impact on his life while at Atlantic Christian/Barton College, Hosford recognized friends Bob and Kim Watson, Barton College president emeritus James Hemby, trustee and former vice president of student life Bobby White, professor Dr. Anand Jaggi, professor Rob Edmondson, and campus icon Tony Tilley.

"What can I say about Tony [Tilley, food services director]?" said Hosford. "Tony actually knew everything about me in college and chose to coach me in the background in a way that no professor could coach me. But, the coaching was there, and I truly appreciate it."

Dr. Harold Ladwig received Honorary Alumnus status for his support of Barton College.

"Dr. Harold Ladwig is a man of great tact and acumen and compassion, understanding, and insight; and he's a good friend of mine," said Barton's Director of Music Mark Peterson as he introduced Ladwig. "He's one of the first people I met when I came to Wilson. His appreciation and love for art and music and theatre has resulted in a strengthening of fine arts here at Barton College. Through his solid financial management, the Barton College/Wilson Symphony Orchestra has flourished; and he has been a wonderful guardian of that endowment."

Ladwig, originally from Iowa, thanked his family for their support over the years and thanked the College for the honor he received. Expressing his gratitude to the Wilson community for the hospitality shown to his family, Ladwig said, "We arrived here 20 years ago as strangers; but you took us in, even though we were from the North. You took us in, and we've been very grateful since that time. Thank you."

Alumni Greek games followed the brunch, as well as numerous class gatherings interspersed throughout the day. Barbeque aficionados sated their pork cravings with an Eastern North Carolina barbeque dinner catered by Wilson landmark, Parker's Barbeque. Returning by popular demand, "Spare Change" played a variety of tunes from beach to boogie during the meal. The evening concluded with the annual Homecoming Dance and the crowning of Corey Winner and Susanna Benson as Homecoming king and queen.

Sunday morning, Dr. and Mrs. Kneten welcomed alumni to the Barton-Graves House for breakfast. Afterward, First Christian Church held a service of celebration honoring Atlantic Christian and Barton College alumni that was followed by a covered-dish luncheon. Homecoming concluded that afternoon with the Alumni Baseball Game and a pig pickin' for friends and family.

In spite of the rainy weather, Homecoming Weekend 2008 was a tremendous success. Ties were renewed, and memories were shared. And, this year's guests know that next year's Homecoming will be just as spectacular.

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Questions? Contact Ken Dozier, web services manager, at 252-399-6596 or email kdozier@barton.edu.

WILSON, N.C. - Step back in time and envision the hysteria that swept 17th century America, catapulting the Salem Witch Trials into the public arena of colonial Massachusetts. Now, weave in the humanity of one Puritan community where religious beliefs, radical suspicion, accusations, worldly temptations, and unabashed threats abound. The result is "The Crucible," a parable of power, intolerance and hypocrisy, written by legendary playwright Arthur Miller. Barton College opens its 2008-2009 season on November 13 with this powerful classic of American drama under the direction of Adam Twiss, assistant professor of theatre and director of the Barton Theatre program, but this production is as far from an "old chestnut" as a play can be.

The production, which runs through November 16 in Howard Chapel, has evening shows Thursday - Saturday at 8 p.m. and a matinee at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. respectively. Tickets will be sold at the door: adult admission is $8 and student admission is $5. To reserve tickets in advance, please call Carol Sabella at 252-399-6483.

Miller's "The Crucible" is an allegorical reflection of another historical period of American unrest in the 1950s when concern over communism was growing and the anti-communist views of Senator Joseph McCarthy were gaining favor. The United States government had blacklisted accused communists and even Miller was called to answer questions before the House of Representatives' Committee on Un-American Activities. "The Crucible" opened on Broadway in 1953, and Miller won a Tony for his gripping, historical rendering of this volatile period in American history. "The Crucible" has become a standard on high school and university reading lists and, on stage, it is recognized as American drama at its best.

"‘The Crucible' poses several challenges for a college production; it has an enormous cast (by contemporary, non-musical standards) with 20 roles (10 men, 10 women), and ages that range from teens to 80+," said Twiss. "As my first opportunity to work on a theatre production at Barton, I felt that this would give me a chance to get to know the students by working with a great cross-section of our student body; it would also allow me to have participation from the extended community."

"The Crucible" company includes Triangle Area actors Eric Carl and David McClutchey, Raleigh lighting and scenic designer Chris Bernier and, of course, local and student talent including: Cheri Behe, Zack Brown, Paul Calcagno, Beth Coble, Ja'millah Cooper, Jensen Davis, Caitlyn Garner, Poole Gurley, Bridget Hughes, Wesley Pridgen, Krysti Reuter, Sarah St. Martin, Jorge Santos, Rose Stenbuck, James Taurasi, Chris Wallen, and Santos Vanegas. Stage manager for the fall production is Whitley Stanley, accompanied by assistant stage manager Lizzie Stafford and assistant technical director James Duncan.

"As the new director of Theatre at Barton, it's been a delight working with these students on ‘The Crucible,' a remarkable play by Arthur Miller, one of America's finest and most celebrated playwrights," continued Twiss. "I had the opportunity to meet Arthur Miller back in 1999, just a few years before his death. Eighty-plus years had done little to diminish his physically imposing frame; he was larger than life, opinionated and brilliant. From that moment, I knew that I wanted to work on his plays, and "The Crucible" has always resonated with me as a commentary on the human condition and our tendency toward both heroism and hypocrisy…very often in the same breath!

"I am very grateful to K.D. Kennedy and the Kennedy family for their tremendous efforts on behalf of the theatre program," Twiss added. "Not only are they dedicated to the building of our new theatre, The Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre, but they have contributed to a guest artist fund that allows us to bring in two outstanding, professional actors from the area, Eric Carl and David McClutchey, along with designer Chris Bernier to work alongside the students. Together with academic studies, acting and stagecraft is historically passed from generation to generation by working alongside veteran leaders; our guest artists provide an unparalleled opportunity and outstanding example for the students. I'm extremely proud of the work these students have done; fifty percent of our company is composed of freshmen and sophomores, seventy-five percent have never been on the Barton stage before…and many have never acted in a play in any capacity. This is what we do with educational theatre, we open doors to profound life-experience and provide safe opportunities to stretch our imaginations and reach for dreams like no other time in our lives."

For additional information about the Barton theatre program, please contact Adam Twiss at 252-399-6484 or email: ajtwiss@barton.edu.

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Questions? Contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.

WILSON, N.C. - Barton College is pleased to welcome internationally renowned author Dr. Marcus Borg as the featured speaker for the 2008 Allan R. Sharp Religion in Life Series set for Monday, Nov. 17.The Allan R. Sharp Religion in Life Series focuses on topics of practical Christian significance for the general public relating to contemporary issues. Established in 1991 upon the retirement of Dr. Allan R. Sharp, a professor and chair of the Department of Religion and Philosophy, this lecture series brings distinguished performers and speakers to the Barton campus each fall semester. This program is sponsored by the Barton College Religious Studies Honor Society, area churches, and friends and alumni of Barton College.

Because of Dr. Borg's popularity, this fall's Allan R. Sharp Religion in Life Series includes several events for members of the campus and surrounding communities. The day's activities begin with an afternoon lecture by Dr. Borg, designed for clergy and students, titled "Telling the Story of Jesus Today." The event will be held in Howard Chapel from 3:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. at no charge. Other events open to the public include a wine and cheese reception and book signing for Dr. Borg at 5:15 p.m. in the Barton Art Galleries followed by dinner at 6:15 p.m. in Hardy Alumni Hall. The cost for the reception and dinner is $25 per person. The Allan R. Sharp Religion in Life evening lecture by Dr. Borg, is titled "What Christianity Is All About: Loving God And Changing The World." It will be held in Hardy Alumni Hall at 7:30 p.m. There will be no charge for the evening lecture.

All scheduled events (afternoon and evening) require reservations, but there is no charge for the lectures. To make reservations, please contact Frances Belcher in the Office of Institutional Advancement at 252-399-6357 or email: fbelcher@barton.edu. Those interested may also visit www.barton.edu/religion_series/ to make reservations online. The deadline for making reservations is Monday, Nov. 10.

The Hundere Chair in Religion and Culture in the Philosophy Department at Oregon State University, Dr. Borg is internationally known in both academic and church circles as a biblical and Jesus scholar, Dr. Borg is the author of 16 books, including "Jesus: A New Vision" (1987) and the best-seller "Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time" (1994), "The God We Never Knew" (1997), "The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions" (1999), "Reading the Bible Again for the First Time" (2001), and "The Heart of Christianity" (2003), both best-sellers. His newest books include "Jesus: Uncovering the Life, Teachings and Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary" (2006), and two books co-authored with John Dominic Crossan, "The Last Week" (2006) and "The First Christmas" (2007).

In reference to Dr. Borg's published works, celebrated author Frederick Beuchner said, "Writing with a simplicity that never becomes simplistic, Borg manages to convey the essence of Christianity in a way that does justice to those who do not share his views and will greatly enrich the understanding of those who do."

Described by "The New York Times" as "a leading figure in his generation of Jesus scholars," Dr. Borg has appeared on NBC's "Today Show" and "Dateline," PBS's "Newshour," ABC's "Evening News" and "Prime Time" with Peter Jennings, NPR's "Fresh Air" with Terry Gross, and several National Geographic programs. A Fellow of the Jesus Seminar, Dr. Borg has been national chair of the Historical Jesus Section of the Society of Biblical Literature and co-chair of its International New Testament Program Committee, and is past president of the Anglican Association of Biblical Scholars and a regular columnist for "Beliefnet." His work has been translated into nine languages: German, Dutch, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and French. Dr. Borg earned his doctoral degree from Oxford University, and he has lectured widely overseas (England, Scotland, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, Israel, and South Africa) and in North America, including the Chautauqua and Smithsonian Institutions.

In addition to the 16 books he has authored, Dr. Borg is the editor or co-editor of "The Lost Gospel Q" (1996), "Jesus and Buddha: The Parallel Sayings" (1997), and "God at 2000," co-edited with Ross Mackenzie (2000). "Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time" (1994) is the single best-selling book by a contemporary Jesus scholar. "The God We Never Knew" was named "one of the ten best books in religion in 1997″ by "Publishers Weekly."

"Reading the Bible Again for the First Time" (2001) has made the "Publishers Weekly" ten best selling books in religion. "The Heart of Christianity" (Harper San Francisco, 2003) has been a group study book in hundreds of churches. "The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions," which Dr. Borg co-authored with N. Thomas Wright, a well-known British New Testament scholar from the conservative side of the spectrum, won the "Best General Interest Book of 1999″ award from the Association of Theological Booksellers.

"Borg is one of the very few New Testament scholars of our age whose learning is so lucid that it takes the Bible back from the specialists and makes it available in all its complexity and splendor to the general reader: nothing short of a blessing, even a miracle!" said Peter Gomes, author of "The Good Book." "If Marcus Borg did not exist, we would have to invent him for we have no better guide to the recovery of an authentic Christian faith for these difficult times than this articulate and prolific public theologian."

For additional information about Dr. Borg, please contact Dr. Rod Werline, Marie and Leman Barnhill Endowed Chair in Religious Studies at Barton College, at 252-399-6447 or email: rawerline@barton.edu.

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Questions? Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu